President Paul Kagame met with Rwandan secondary school students on August 22 who won Rwanda’s first gold medal at the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The gold medal was awarded to Denys Prince Tuyisenge, one of six students on the Rwandan team. In addition to the gold medal, the team, trained by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Rwanda, earned a silver medal, three bronze medals, and several PAMO Girls Bronze Medals.
“We are deeply honored that the President welcomed the students who won medals at PAMO,” said Education Minister Gaspard Twagirayezu. “The President wanted to personally thank them and recognize their achievements. This acknowledgment will inspire more students to excel and reach for greater heights.”
Tuyisenge, who aspires to be a chemical engineer, expressed that meeting the President was a significant motivator. “It motivated me to work even harder. Knowing that my efforts are recognized at the highest level encourages me to strive for more,” said Tuyisenge, a Senior Three student at Hope Haven Secondary School.
This year marks Rwanda’s fourth participation in PAMO. The country previously hosted the event, where Rwandan students won five silver and four bronze medals. The competition, held annually at the University of Witwatersrand, saw participation from students across 27 countries this year.
Rwanda’s team was selected from an initial pool of around 40,000 students through a rigorous process, culminating in a final team of 23 students competing in regional and international contests.
